Automatic gate-locking mechanism



sept. 22, 1925.

K. JoRGENsEN AUTOMATIC Cnlfi'l LOCKING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 10, 1924 INVENTOR l kHTNESS "Y @fm ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 22, 1925.

UNITED STATES vPATENT OFFICE.

IKNUT JORGENSEN, 0F HOUSTON, MINNESOTA.

AUTOMATIC GATE-LOCKING MECHANISM.

Application filed September 10, 1924. Serial No. 736,967.

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, KNUT JoRGnNsnN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Houston, in the county of Houston and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Gate- Locking Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in automatic gate locking mechanism and its object is to provide simple, practical mechanism for the purpose that is cheap to manufacture and positive and eticient inoperation. v Y

VVitIr the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists in the combina tion and arrangement of parts to be hereinatter fully described, pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawing which forms a part or" this application and in which- Fig. 1 is a side view of a gate constructed according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view of the turnbuckle employed.

Like reference characters denote correspondin'g parts throughout the several views.

The refe-rence numeral 1 denotes a fence to wlhich the gate 2 is applied, said gate comprising the longitudinal bars 3 connected by the stiles, the gate being supported from the hinge post 5, the front end of the gate being connected to the said post by the steel cord 6 made in two sections connected by the turnbuckle 7 so that an adjustment is possible whereby the gate is prevented from sagging.

A pair of parallel brace strips S secured to the bars 8 are connected by pins 9 upon one of which a latch bary 10 is fulcrumed, the :forward end of said bar extending beyond the front end of the gate and being curved slightly and terminating in a head 11 adjacent to which is a heel 12 formed in the said bar, said heel being engaged by the forward end of the spring 18, secured at one end to one of the pins 9, said spring serving yieldingly to keepfthe forward end of the latch bar in engagement with a pin .14: connecting the Stiles at the front end :of the gate.

One of the fence posts 15 adjacent the front end of the gate, supports a pair of spaced beveled lugs 16, 17 which are con- .Y

nected by and pivotally support the pin 18 that carries the fork 19 the tines 2O of which are disposed at right angles to the butt 21. In one position of the fork 19, which is its open position, the tines 20 are substantially parallel to the post: 15. In another position shown in Fig. 1 the tines are at right angles to the post 15 and when the gate is disposed between the ytines it is locked in this position. To unlock the gate thev fork is moved so that the tines are in raised or open position thus dis-j posing the butt 21 toward the gate and in the path of movement of the bar 10. The butt 21 now projects beyond the lugs 16, 17.' The gate is now opened by swinging it in the usual manner. To lock the gate it is simply swung shut and as the head 11 of the bar 10 strikes the beveled periphery of the butt 21 it swings the fork into closed position causing it to engage and hold the gate closed, the butt riding into engagement with the post 15 which arrests its further movement in this direction.

l/Vlhat is claimed 1s:- Y 1. In automatic gate lockingv mechanism,

sok

a latch bar fulcrumcd to the gate and projecting beyond the front lend thereof, a pin' in said gate for supporting Vsaid latch bar at its'forward end, a spring for yieldingly retaining said bar and pin in engagement, and a fork supported adjacent the front end of said gate, said fork comprising tines and a butt disposed at right angles to said tines and in one position adapted to ride into engagement with the fork support.

2. In automatic gate locking mechanism, a latch bar Jfulcrumed to the gate and projecting beyond one end thereof, a pin in said gate for supporting said latch barI at one end, a spring engaging one end of said latch bar, spaced lugs supported adjacent one end of said gate in its closed position, and a fork adjustably supported between said lugs, said fork comprising gate-engaging tines and a butt disposed at right angles thereto, said butt in one position of vsaid fork projecting beyond said lugs into the path` of movement of said latolr bar, and'y in another position of said fork being dis' posed against the lug-support.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature.

KNUT ,JORGENSEN 

